The Order of the Illuminati: Its Origins, Its Methods and Its Influence on the World Events

The Order of the Illuminati is often at the center of debates about the impact of secret societies on human history. Is the Illuminati a myth or does it truly secretly rule the world? As the number of people asking that question has grown, facts about the Order have become diluted with misconceptions and disinformation, making objective research on the subject difficult. This article attempts to shed some factual light on the Order of the Illuminati by reviewing some of the most important documents on the subject.

The world “Illuminati” is thrown around rather freely to describe the elite group that is secretly running the world. Most have a general idea of the meaning of the term, but are confused about the concepts and the ideas relating to it. Is the Illuminati the same thing as Freemasonry? What are their goals? What are their beliefs? Why do they act in secret? Do they practice occultism? Attempting to objectively research the subject can become an arduous task as most sources end up being either dismissive disinformation pieces that deny (and even ridicule) anything related to the Illuminati or, at the other end of the spectrum, espouse ill-informed fear mongering based on rumors and misconceptions. In both cases, the researcher ends up with the same result: a distorted version of the truth.

Considering that Secret Societies are supposed to be, by definition, secret, and that history is often rewritten by those in power, obtaining the unbiased truth about the Illuminati is a challenge. This article does not claim to “reveal” or “expose” everything that is to be known about the Illuminati; it rather attempts draw a more precise picture of the Order by citing authors who have extensively studied the subject. Whether they are, at the end of the day, critics or apologists of the Illuminati, these authors base their thoughts on credible facts. Some of the most interesting documents on the Illuminati were written by initiates of Secret Societies as they understood the philosophical and spiritual undercurrent driving the movement forward. Using these works, we will look at the origins, the methods and the impacts of the Illuminati on world history.

Types of Secret Societies

Although several groups called themselves “Illuminati” in the past, the most influential and memorable of them was the Bavarian Illuminati. Founded on May 1, 1776, the organization created by Adam Weishaupt blurred the line between “spiritual” and “political” Secret Societies. By mixing the occult sciences of Freemasonry and Rosicrucianism while conspiring to achieve precise political goals, the Illuminati became an actor on the world stage. While most Secret Societies of the time catered to rich people and their fascination with occultism, the Bavarian Illuminati actively sought to profoundly change the world.

Secret Societies have existed throughout the course of history, each of them with different aims and with different roles in society. While the Egyptian mystery schools were part of the Egyptian institution, other groups were secret due to their subversive and conspiratorial aims. These two next quotes, written by two famous political figures, describe these opposing views on Secret Societies:

“A mystical Fraternity, who, in an earlier age, boasted of secrets of which the Philosopher’s Stone was but the least; who considered themselves the heirs of all that the Chaldeans, the Magi, the Gymnosophists, and the Platonists had taught; and who differed from all the darker Sons of Magic in the virtue of their lives, the purity of their doctrines, and their insisting, as the foundation of all wisdom, on the subjugation of the sense, and the intensity of Religious Faith?” – Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton, 1884 [1. Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton, Zanoni]

“The governments of the present day have to deal not merely with other governments, with emperors, kings and ministers, but also with the secret societies which have everywhere their unscrupulous agents, and can at the last moment upset all the governments’ plans.” – British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, 1876

These quotes describe different realms of influence of Secret Societies. The first one refers to the spiritual side while the second describes the political side. Not all Secret Societies dwell in the spiritual and not all of them get involved in political machinations. The Bavarian Illuminati operated in both realms.

“Spiritual brotherhoods are pledged to Wisdom and guiding humanity towards the realm of the Infinite; Political brotherhoods [are comprised]of power-seekers who cloak their manipulative agenda in darkness. (…)

All secret societies share certain fundamental themes. Membership is restricted to those who have an abiding interest in the subject. Thus, a spiritual group will attract people seeking more knowledge of a particular teacher or type of practice. The student is aware of the subject matter in advance and will approach the group for further instruction. More rarely, an individual may be “tapped” by the group because of a perceived affinity to its purpose.

In a political secret society, membership is restricted to those who share an ideological affinity with the goals the group represents. At the furthest end of the political spectrum, the mission will be revolution. Such a society will go to great lengths to defend itself. (…)

The Illuminati are perceived by many as spanning the chasm between the spiritual and the political secret society. Often credited (or blamed) for influencing the French Revolution in 1787, the Illuminati taught a doctrine of social and political liberation that hinged on the equality of man, the embrace of rationalism, and the denial of crown and church as the legitimate institutions for the regulation of social and moral values. (…) While the views of the Illuminati may sound quite advanced for the time, the European revolutions they are believed to have encouraged degenerated into brutal bloodbaths whose singular lack of moral compass was appalling.” [2. James Wasserman, The Mystery Traditions]

While some believe that Adam Weishaupt was the sole mastermind of the Illuminati and that his organization rose to glory and died in less than twelve years, most researchers initiated in occultism believe that the Bavarian Illuminati was the rare appearance of an ancient Brotherhood that could be traced back to the Knight Templars of the Middle-Ages.

Manly P. Hall, a 33rd Degree Freemason and prolific author, described in his pamphlet “Masonic Orders of Fraternity” an “Invisible Empire” that has been silently working for centuries towards social change. It periodically became visible throughout History, through different organizations who bore different names. According to him, these groups have a great yet silent impact on society, even transforming the educational system to form future generations.

“The direct descent of the essential program of the Esoteric Schools was entrusted to groups already well-conditioned for the work. The guilds, trade unions, and similar protective and benevolent Societies had been internally strengthened by the introduction of a new learning. The advancement of the plan required the enlargement of the boundaries of the philosophic overstate. A World Fraternity was needed, sustained by a deep and broad program of education according to the “method”. Such a Fraternity could not immediately include all men, but it could unite the activities of certain kinds of men, regardless of their racial or religious beliefs or the nations in which they dwelt. These were the men of “towardness”, those sons of tomorrow, whose symbol was a blazing sun rising over the mountains of the east. (…)

It was inevitable that the Orders of Fraternity should sponsor world education. (…) The program included a systematic expansion of existing institutions and the enlargement of their spheres of influence.

Slowly, the Orders of Universal Reformation faded from public attention, and in their places appeared the Orders of World Brotherhood. Everything possible was done to prevent the transitions from being obvious. Even history was falsified to make certain sequences of activity unrecognizable. The shift of emphasis never gave the impression of abruptness, and the motion appeared as a dawning of social consciousness. The most obvious clues to the secret activity have been the prevailing silence about the origin and the impossibility of filing the lacunae in the records of seventeenth- and eighteenth- century fraternal Orders. (…)

The Orders of Fraternity were attached by slender and almost invisible threads to the parent project. Like earlier Schools of the Mysteries, these Fraternities were not in themselves actual embodiments of the esoteric associations, but rather instruments to advance certain objectives of the divine plan.” [3. Manly P. Hall, Masonic Orders of Fraternity]

Here, Hall mentions a “silence” and lack of information regarding the workings of Secret Societies during the 17th and 18th century, the epoch during which the Bavarian Illuminati was active. It is during this time period that Secret Societies took action, causing revolutions, overthrowing Monarchical and Papal powers and taking hold of the banking system. Was the Bavarian Illuminati part of the Invisible Empire described by Hall? Is it still active today? Let’s first look at Adam Weishaupt and his infamous Secret Society.

Adam Weishaupt, Trained by the Jesuits

Adam Weishaupt was born in Ingolstadt, Bavaria on February 6, 1748. His father died when he was seven and his godfather, Baron Ickstatt, entrusted his early education to the most powerful group of the time: the Jesuits. Known for its subversive methods and conspiratorial tendencies, the Society of Jesus had a stronghold on Bavaria’s politics and educational system.

“The degree of power to which the representatives of the Society of Jesus had been able to attain in Bavaria was all but absolute. Members of the order were the confessors and preceptors of the electors; hence they had a direct influence upon the policies of government. The censorship of religion had fallen into their eager hands, to the extent that some of the parishes even were compelled to recognize their authority and power. To exterminate all Protestant influence and to render the Catholic establishment complete, they had taken possession of the instruments of public education. It was by Jesuits that the majority of the Bavarian colleges were founded, and by them they were controlled. By them also the secondary schools of the country were conducted.” [4. Vernon L. Stauffer, The European Illuminati]

The inner-workings of the Society of Jesus was quite similar to the occult Brotherhoods it was apparently working against. It functioned with degrees, initiation rites, elaborate rituals and esoteric symbols and had been suppressed countless times in several countries due to its subversive tendencies.

In 1773, Weishaupt’s godfather used his great influence at the University of Ingolstadt to place his godson as chair of canon law. At that time, the institution was under heavy Jesuitical dominance and that particular position was traditionally held by influential Jesuits. Weishaupt’s growing embrace of Age of Enlightenment philosophies placed him at odds with the Jesuits and all kinds of political drama ensued. Despite this fact, Weishaupt learned a lot from the Jesuit’s organization and their subversive methods to obtain power. It is during this time that the idea of a Secret Soceity began to enter Weishaupt’s thoughts.

“Brilliant, and well trained in the conspiratorial methods of access to power, young Weishaupt decided to organize a body of conspirators, determined to free the world from the Jesuitical rule of Rome.” [5. Peter Tomkins, The Magic of Obelisks]

While some authors believe that the Jesuits (who were suppressed by papal bull in 1773) used Weishaupt to perpetuate their rule, others state that he was seeking to overthrow their powerful hold on Bavarian. On a wider scale, he was convinced that the world would profit from the overthrow of all governmental and religious institutions in the world to replace them by a world-wide, yet secretive, committee of “initiates”. To acheive his aims, he would use Jesuit methods against the Jesuits.

As Weishaupt pursued his studies, he also became knowledgeable in occult mysteries and Hermetism. He recognized the attractive power of this mysterious knowledge and understood that Masonic lodges would be the ideal venue to propagate his views. He therefore sought to become a Freemason, but was quickly disenchanted with the idea.

“His imagination having taken heat from his reflections upon the attractive power of the Eleusinian mysteries and the influence exerted by the secret cult of the Pythagoreans, it was first in Weishaupt’s thought to seek in the Masonic institutions of the day the opportunity he coveted for the propagation of his views. From this, original intention, however, he was soon diverted, in part because of the difficulty he experienced in commanding sufficient funds to gain admission to a lodge of Masons, in part because his study of such Masonic books as came into his hands persuaded him that the “mysteries” of Freemasonry were too puerile and too readily accessible to the general public to make them worthwhile”. [6. Stauffer, Op. Cit.]

Weishaupt soon realized that, to achieve his aims, it would be necessary for him to create his own secretive group, composed of powerful individuals who would embrace his views and help him propagate them.

“He deemed it necessary, therefore, to launch out on independent lines. He would form a model secret organization, comprising “schools of wisdom,” concealed from the gaze of the world behind walls of seclusion and mystery, wherein those truths which the folly and egotism of the priests banned from the public chairs of education might be taught with perfect freedom to susceptible youths.” [7. Ibid.]

The goal of Weishaupt’s organization was simple yet monumental: to overthrow all political and religious institutions in order to replace it with a group of Illuminati initiates. According to him “universal happiness complete and rapid could be achieved by disposing of hierarchy, rank and riches. Princes and nations will disappear without violence from the earth; the human race will become one family; the world will be the abode of reasonable men”. On May 1, 1776, the Order of the Illuminati was founded.

The Bavarian Illuminati

Weishaupt’s Illuminati began humbly with only five members, but after a few years and with powerful connections, the Order became a major political force across the world. Influential deciders, rich industrials, powerful noblemen and mysterious occultists joined the Order and participated in its conspiratorial objectives. Some historians claim that the Order’s quick rise to success was due to a secret meeting between Weishaupt and a mysterious figure named Cagliostro, the most powerful occultist of the time.

“In Ingolsstadt, Cagliostro is believed to have met Adam Weishaupt, professor of philosophy and canon law at the university, who in 1776, had founded the sect of Illuminati. Calling themselves heirs to the Knights Templar, they declared their interest in using celestial intervention as achieved by Cagliostro for the furtherance of a program of worldwide religious reform, but one more radical than Cagliostro’s, “committed to avenging the death of the Templar’s Grand Master Molay by reducing to dust the triple crown of the popes and disposing of the last of the Capet Kings.”

Cagliostro obliged, and described in prophetic detail the decapitation of Louis XVI, an event hardly to be envisaged at that time as anything but improbable.” [8. Tompkins, op. cit.]

The Bavarian Illuminati was originally comprised of three primary grades: Novice, Minerval and Illuminated Minerval. Each grade was designed to achieve particular objectives while assuring complete control and dominance to the apex of the pyramid. Here’s a brief look at each grade.

Novice

Entry-level members of the Bavarian Illuminati were attracted and introduced to the Order using attractive vocabulary (the quest for wisdom and betterment) and occult lore. They were however introduced to a highly monitored and controlling hierarchy, one that resembles the system of the Jesuits. There was no mention of the Order’s political aims.

“Once enrolled, the instruction of each Novice was to be in the hands of his enroller, who kept well hidden from his pupil the identity of the rest of his superiors. Such statutes of the order as he was permitted to read impressed upon the mind of the Novice that the particular ends sought in his novitiate were to ameliorate and perfect his moral character, expand his principles of humanity and sociability, and solicit his interest in the laudable objects of thwarting the schemes of evil men, assisting oppressed virtue, and helping men of merit to find suitable places in the world. Having had impressed upon him the necessity of maintaining inviolable secrecy respecting the affairs of the order, the further duties of subordinating his egoistic views and interests and of according respectful and complete obedience to his superiors were next enjoined. An important part of the responsibility of the Novice consisted in the drawing-up of a detailed report (for the archives of the order), containing complete, information concerning his family and his personal career, covering such remote items as the titles of the books he possessed, the names of his personal enemies and the occasion of their enmity, his own strong and weak points of character, the dominant passions of his parents, the names of their parents and intimates, etc. Monthly reports were also required, covering the benefits the recruit had received from and the services he had rendered to the order. For the building-up of the order the Novice must undertake his share in the work of recruitment, his personal advancement to the higher grades being conditioned upon the success of such efforts. To those whom he enrolled he became in turn a superior; and thus after a novitiate presumably two years in length, the way was open for his promotion to the next higher grade.” [9. Stauffer, op. cit.]

When a Novice proved to his superiors to be worthy of advancement, he was initiated to the grade of Minerval.

Minerval

Minerval seals of the Bavarian Illuminati. These pendants, worn around the necks of Minerval initiates, featured the Owl of Minerva . Also known as the Owl of Wisdom, this symbol is still found today in powerful places: around the White House, hidden on the dollar bill or on the insignia of the Bohemian Club.

The term Minerval is derived from Minerva who was the Roman goddess of poetry, medicine, wisdom, commerce, weaving, crafts, magic, and the music. She is often depicted with her sacred creature, an owl, which symbolizes her ties to wisdom. An ancient symbol of the mysteries, Minerva is prominently featured in places such as the Library of Congress and the Great Seal of California.

The second grade of the Illuminati was one of indoctrination. The initiates were lectured on the spiritual principles of the Order but had little information regarding the true aims of Weishaupt and his close circle of administrators.

“The ceremony of initiation through which the Novice passed into the grade Minerval was expected to disabuse the mind of the candidate of any lingering suspicion that the order had as its supreme object the subjugation of the rich and powerful, or the, overthrow of civil and ecclesiastical government. It also pledged the candidate to be useful to humanity; to maintain a silence eternal, a fidelity inviolable, and an obedience implicit with respect to all the superiors and rules of the order; and to sacrifice all personal interests to those of the society.” [10. Ibid.]

Minervals were permitted to meet some of their superiors (Illuminated Minervals) and to engage in discussions with them. This privilege alone was a great source of motivation for the new initiates.

Illuminated Minerval

Selected from among the Minerval, the Illuminated Minerval were given specific tasks to accomplish in order to prepare them to take action in the “real world”. Most of their work consisted in the study of mankind and the perfection of methods to direct it. Each Illuminated Minerval was entrusted with a small group of Minervals who were scrutinized, analyzed and lead towards specific directions. Lower-grade members of the Order therefore became test subjects for techniques that might be applied to the masses in general.

“To the grade Illuminated Minerval were admitted those Minervals who in the judgment of their superiors were worthy of advancement. Elaborate initiatory ceremonies fixed in the candidate’s mind the notions that the progressive purification of his life was to be expected as he worked his way upward in the order, and that the mastery of the art of directing men was to be his special pursuit as long as he remained in the new grade. To accomplish the latter, i.e., to become an expert psychologist and director of men’s consciences, he must observe and study constantly the actions, purposes, desires, faults, and virtues of the little group of Minervals who were placed under his personal direction and care. For his guidance in this difficult task a complicated mass of instructions was furnished him.

In addition to their continued presence in the assemblies of the Minervals, the members of this grade came together once a month by themselves, to hear reports concerning their disciples, to discuss methods of accomplishing the best results in their work of direction and to solicit each other’s counsel in difficult and embarrassing cases. In these meetings the records of the assemblies of the Minervals were reviewed and rectified and afterwards transmitted to the superior officers of the order.” [11. Ibid.]

From this basic structure, the Illuminati began its expansion. Everything was in place for Weishaupt to achieve an important goal: the infiltration of Freemasonry.

Infiltration of Freemasonry

In 1777, the year following the creation of the Illuminati, Weishaupt joined the Masonic lodge of Theodore of Good Counsel in Munich. Not only did he successfully propagate his views into the lodge, he also managed to get the lodge to be”virtually absorbed into the Illuminist order almost immediately”. [12. Hall, op. cit.]

A definite alliance between the Illuminati and Freemasonry became possible in 1780 when a prominent figure by the name of Baron Adolf Franz Friederich Knigge was initiated into Weishaupt’s Order. The German diplomat’s Masonic connections and organizational skills were promptly put to use by the Order. Knigge would go on to accomplish two important tasks for the Illuminati: He revised the hierarchy of the Order, created new higher grades and allowed the full integration of Masonic lodges into the system.

“Two weighty consequences promptly followed as the result of Kinigge’s advent into the order. The long-sought higher grades were worked out, and an alliance between the Illuminati and Freemasonry was effected.” [13. Ibid.]

Knigge, an influential North German diplomat and occultist joined the Illuminati in 1780. He is here shown displaying the sign of the Hidden Hand (see the article entitled The Hidden Hand that Shaped the World on the Vigilant Citizen).

Knigge’s influence upon the Order was profound and immediate. The new system he devised attracted Freemasons and other powerful figures, which gave the movement great momentum. Here’s the system devised by Knigge:

Knigge’s kept the Order’s original grades untouched but added new grades above them. The second level of the Illuminati incorporated the grades of Freemasonry making therefore the Brotherhood simply a part of the wider Illuminist superstructure.

“The grade Novice (a part of the system only in a preparatory sense) was left unchanged by Knigge, save for the addition of a printed communication to be put into the hands of all new recruits, advising them that the Order of the Illuminati stands over against all other forms of contemporary Freemasonry as the one type not degenerate, and as such alone able to restore the craft to its ancient splendor. (…)

The three symbolic grades of the second class seem to have been devised solely for the purpose of supplying an avenue whereby members of the various branches of the great Masonic family could pass to the higher grades of the new order.” [14. Ibid.]

The highest grades of the Order were restricted to a select few and included powerful individuals and influential figures. The grade of Prince held within its ranks National Inspectors, Provincials, Prefects and Deans of the Priests. At the top of the pyramid were the Magus (also known as Areopagites), which comprised the supreme heads of the Order. Their identities were safely guarded and are still difficult to confirm today.

Knigge’s strategy gave impressive results and allowed the Illuminati to become an extremely powerful movement.

“The new method of spreading Illuminism by means of its affiliation with Masonic lodges promptly demonstrated its worth. Largely because of the fine strategy of seeking its recruits among the officers and other influential personages in the lodges of Freemasonry, one after another of the latter in quick succession went over to the new system. New prefectures were established, new provinces organized, and Provincials began to report a steady and copious stream of new recruits. (…) Students, merchants, doctors, pharmacists, lawyers, judges, professors in gymnasia and universities, preceptors, civil officers, pastors, priests — all were generously represented among the new recruits. Distinguished names soon appeared upon the rosters of the lodges of the new system. Duke Ferdinand of Brunswick, Duke Ernst of Gotha, Duke Karl August of Saxe-Weimar, Prince August of Saxe-Gotha, Prince Carl of Hesse, Baron Dalberg, the philosopher Herder, the poet Goethe, the educationist Pestalozzi, were among the number enrolled, By the end of 1784 the leaders boasted of a total enrollment of between two and three thousand members 106. and the establishment of the order upon a solid foundation seemed to be fully assured.” [15. Ibid.]

Weishaup, however, did not enjoy his Order’s success for long. Suspicions of Illuminati conspiracy against governments and religious arose across Europe. Seeing a credible threat against its power, the Bavarian government launched an edict outlawing all communities, societies and brotherhoods that existed without due authorization of the law. Furthermore, internal disagreements between Weishaupt and the higher ups of his Order lead to disputes and dissension. In the midst of it all, some members went directly to the authorities and testified against the Order, an opportunity that was not missed by the Bavarian government.

“Out of the mouths of its friends, the accusations which its enemies made against the order were to be substantiated. By the admissions of its leaders, the system of the Illuminati had the appearance of an organization devoted to the overthrow of religion and the state, a band of poisoners and forgers, an association of men of disgusting morals and depraved tastes.” [16. Ibid.]

By 1788, through the use of aggressive legislation and criminal charges, the Bavarian Illuminati was apparently dissipated and destroyed by the government. While some see here the conclusion of the story of the Illuminati, one must not forget that the tentacles of Illuminism had the time to spread way beyond to confines of Bavaria to reach Masonic lodges across Europe. In other words, the Illuminati was never destroyed, it simply went underground. A year later, an important event would prove that Illuminism was more alive and potent then ever: the French Revolution.

The French Revolution

The violent overthrow of the French Monarchy in 1789 symbolizes to many the victory of Jacobinism and Illuminism over the traditional institutions of the time. The adoption of the Declaration of Human Rights officially recorded Masonic and Illuminist values into the core of the French government. The country’s new motto “Liberté, Égalité et Fraternité” (Freedom, Equality and Brotherhood) was said to be a famous Masonic saying that was used in French lodges for centuries.

The official document of the Declaration of Human Rights contains several occult symbols referring to Secret Societies. First, the symbol of the All Seeing Eye within a triangle, surrounded by the light of the blazing star Sirius, is found above everything else (this symbol is also found on the Great Seal of the United States). Underneath the title is depicted an Ouroboros (a serpent eating its own tail), an esoteric symbol associated with Alchemy, Gnosticism and Hermetism, the core teachings of Masonry. Right underneath the Ouroboros is a red phrygian cap, a symbol representing Illuminist revolutions across the world. The entire Declaration is guarded by Masonic pillars.

Backlash Against Illuminism

If though Bavarian Illuminati was said to be dead, the ideas it promoted still became a reality. The Freemasons and Rosicrucians were still thriving, and the Illuminati appeared to be living through them. Europe was undergoing profound turmoil as a new class of people took the helms of power. Critics began to emerge, revealing to the masses the secret forces behind the changes they were witnessing.

Leopold Hoffman, a Freemason who was convinced that the Illuminati corrupted his Brotherhood, published a series of articles in his journal entitled Wiener Zeitschrift. He claimed that the lower grades of the Illuminati had been dissolved, but the highest degrees were still active. He also added that Freemasonry was being “subjugated by Illuminism” and transformed to serve its ends. He also stated that the French Revolution was the result of years of Illuminist propaganda.

In 1797, John Robinson, a Scottish physician, mathematician and inventor (he invented the siren) published a book entitled “Proofs of a Conspiracy against All the Religions and Governments of Europe, carried on in the Secret Meetings of the Free Masons, Illuminati, and Reading Societies”. This devout Freemason became disenchanted when he realized that his brotherhood had been infiltrated by the Illuminati. Here’s an excerpt of his book:

“I have found that the covert of a Mason Lodge had been employed in every country for venting and propagating sentiments in religion and politics, that could not have circulated in public without exposing the author to great danger. I found, that this impunity had gradually encouraged men of licentious principles to become more bold, and to teach doctrines subversive of all our notions of morality—of all our confidence in the moral government of the universe—of all our hopes of improvement in a future state of existence—and of all satisfaction and contentment with our present life, so long as we live in a state of civil subordination. I have been able to trace these attempts, made, through a course of fifty years, under the specious pretext of enlightening the world by the torch of philosophy, and of dispelling the clouds of civil and religious superstition which keep the nations of Europe in darkness and slavery.

I have observed these doctrines gradually diffusing and mixing with all the different systems of Free Masonry; till, at last, AN ASSOCIATION HAS BEEN FORMED for the express purpose of ROOTING OUT ALL THE RELIGIOUS ESTABLISHMENTS, AND OVERTURNING ALL THE EXISTING GOVERNMENTS OF EUROPE. I have seen this Association exerting itself zealously and systematically, till it has become almost irresistible: And I have seen that the most active leaders in the French Revolution were members of this Association, and conducted their first movements according to its principles, and by means of its instructions and assistance, formally requested and obtained: And, lastly, I have seen that this Association still exists, still works in secret, and that not only several appearances among ourselves show that its emissaries are endeavouring to propagate their detestable doctrines, but that the Association has Lodges in Britain corresponding with the mother Lodge at Munich ever since 1784. . . The Association of which I have been- speaking is the order of ILLUMINATI, founded, in 1775 [sic], by Dr. Adam Weishaupt, professor of Canon-law in the University of Ingolstadt, and abolished in 1786 by the Elector of Bavaria, but revived immediately after, under another name, and in a different form, all over Germany. It was again detected, and seemingly broken up; but it had by this time taken so deep root that it still subsists without being detected, and has spread into all the countries of Europe” [17. John Robinson, Proofs of a Conspiracy]

Augustin Barrel, a French Jesuit priest also published in 1797 a book linking the French Revolution to the Bavarian Illuminati. In “Mémoires pour servir à l’histoire du Jacobisime”, he traced back the slogan “Liberty and Equality” back to the early Templars and claimed that, in the higher degrees of the order, liberty and equality is explained not only by “war against kings and thrones” but by “war against Christ and his altars”. He also provided details pertaining to the Illuminist take-over of Freemasonry.

“Barruel charged that not only the lower order of Masonry were duped by Weishaupt, but also those of Weishaupt’s own Illuminati, for whom he had provided another top-secret level of direction known as the Aeopagus, a withdrawn circle of directors of the whole order, who alone knew its secret aims. To Barruel, such revolutionary leaders as La Rochefoucauld, Lafayette, and the duc d’Orléans, had become Illuminati agents and dupes of more extreme radicals such as Danton, provocateurs who sparked the Illuminati-directed rebellion. Barruel further charged that the entire French Masonic establishment had been converted to Weishaupt’s revolutionary ideas, its lodges turned into secret committees which planned bloodshed.” [18. Tompkins, op. cit.]

Propagation in America

Most of America’s Founding Fathers were part of Secret Societies, whether the Freemasons, the Rosicrucians or others. Some of them travelled to Europe and were well versed in the doctrines of the Illuminati.

From 1776 to 1785 – when the Bavarian Illuminati was openly active – Benjamin Franklin was in Paris serving as the ambassador of the United States to France. During his stay, he became Grand Master of the lodge Les Neufs Soeurs which was attached with the Grand Orient of France. This Masonic organization was said to have become the French headquarters of the Bavarian Illuminati. It was particularly influential in organizing of the French support for the American Revolution and was later part of the process towards the French Revolution.

In 1799, when German minister G.W. Snyder warned George Washington of the Illuminati plan “to overthrow all governments and religion”, Washington replied that he had heard “much of the nefarious and dangerous plan and doctrines of the Illuminati“. He however concluded his letter by stating: “I believe notwithstanding, that none of the Lodges in this country are contaminated with the principles ascribed to the society of Illuminati“.

In another letter to Snyder, written a month later, Washington continued on the topic:

“It was not my intention to doubt that, the Doctrines of the Illuminati, and principles of Jacobinism had not spread in the United States. On the contrary, no one is more truly satisfied of this fact than I am.

The idea that I meant to convey, was, that I did not believe that the Lodges of Free Masons in this Country had, as Societies, endeavoured to propagate the diabolical tenets of the first, or pernicious principles of the latter (if they are susceptible of separation). That Individuals of them may have done it, or that the founder, or instrument employed to found, the Democratic Societies in the United States, may have had these objects; and actually had a separation of the People from their Government in view, is too evident to be questioned.”

Part of the original letter written by George Washington regarding the Illuminati

Judging by this letter, George Washington was obviously well aware of the doctrines of the Illuminati And even if he did not believe that the Masonic institutions of the United States propagated its doctrines, he concedes that individuals might have undertaken that endeavour. After the Bavarian Illuminati

Today, the term Illuminati is used to loosely describe the small group of powerful individuals who are working towards the creation of a World Government, with the issue of a single world currency and a single world religion. Although it is difficult to determine if this group descends directly from the original Bavarian Illuminati or that it even uses the term Illuminati, its tenets and methods are in perfect continuation of it. As stated above, the name that is used to describe the occult elite can change. And, ultimately, the name is irrelevant; what needs to be recognized is the underlying current that has existed for centuries.

According the Manly. P Hall, the Bavarian Illuminati was part of what he calls the “Universal Brotherhood”, an invisible Order at the “source” of most Hermetic Secret Societies of the past. It has worked for centuries towards the transformation of mankind, guiding it through a worldwide alchemical process. The same way the alchemical Great Work seeks to turn crude metals into gold, it claims to work towards a similar metamorphosis of the world. According to Hall, the Universal Brotherhood sometimes makes itself visible, but under the guise of different names and symbols. This would mean that the Knights Templars, Freemasons, Rosicrucians, and Illuminati are temporary visible manifestations of an underlying force that is infinitely more profound and more powerful. However, human beings being what they are – weak toward greed and power-lust – these movements often become corrupted and end up conspiring against the masses for more power and material gain.

“Certainly there was an undercurrent of things esoteric, in the most mystical sense of the word, beneath the surface of Illuminism. In this respect, the Order followed exactly in the footsteps of the Knights Templars. The Templars returned to Europe after the Crusades, bringing with them a number of choice fragments of Oriental occult lore, some of which they had gathered from the Druses of Lebanon, and some from the disciples of Hasan Ibn-al-Sabbah, the old wizard of Mount Alamut.

If there was a deep mystical current flowing beneath the surface of Illuminism, it is certain that Weishaupt was not the Castalian Spring. Perhaps the lilies of the Illuminati and the roses of the Rosicrucians were, by a miracle of Nature, flowing from the same stem. The old symbolism would suggest this, and it is not always wise to ignore ancient landmarks. There is only one explanation that meets the obvious and natural requirements of the known facts. The Illuminati were part of an esoteric tradition which had descended from remote antiquity and had revealed itself for a short time among the Humanists of Ingolstadt. One of the blossoms of the “sky plant” was there, but the roots were afar in better ground”. [19. Hall, op. cit.]

Hall concludes that the Illuminati existed long before the advent of Weishaupt’s Order and that it still exists today. It was under the guise of defeat and destruction that the Illuminati realized its greatest victories.

“Weishaupt emerged as a faithful servant of a higher cause. Behind him moved the intricate machinery of the Secret School. As usual, they did not trust their full weight to any perishable institution. The physical history of the Bavarian Illuminati extended over a period of only twelve years. It is difficult to understand, therefore, the profound stir which this movement caused in the political life of Europe. We are forced to the realization that this Bavarian group was only one fragment of a large and composite design.

All efforts to discover the members of the higher grades of the Illuminist Order have been unsuccessful. It has been customary, therefore, to assume that these higher grades did not exist except in the minds of Weishaupt and von Knigge. Is it not equally possible that a powerful group of men, resolved to remain entirely unknown, moved behind Weishaupt and pushed him forward as a screen for its own activities?

The ideals of Illuminism, as they are found in the pagan Mysteries of antiquity, were old when Weishaupt was born, and it is unlikely that these long-cherished convictions perished with his Bavarian experiment. The work that was unfinished in 1785 remains unfinished in 1950. Esoteric Orders will not become extinct until the purpose which brought them into being has been fulfilled. Organizations may perish, but the Great School is indestructible”. [20. Ibid.]

The Great Seal of the United States features the unfinished Great Pyramid of Giza, a symbol of the unfinished work of the Esoteric Orders: a New World Order. The Seal was adopted on the American dollar by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a 32nd Degree Freemason and a Knight of Pythias with ties Manly P. Hall.

The Illuminati Today

If the Illuminist Agenda is still alive today, what form does it take? From the esoteric and spiritual point of view, some modern Secret Societies such as the O.T.O. (Ordo Templi Orientis) have claimed to be the heirs of Illuminism. Other researchers stated that there exists hidden Orders above the 33 “visible” degrees of Freemasonry that form the Illuminati. As they are, by definition, secret, obtaining details about these Orders is quite difficult.

The political side of modern Illluminism is a lot more visible and its plans are obvious. An increasingly restrictive and concentrated group is being entrusted with the creation of important decisions and policies. International committees and organizations, acting above elected officials are today creating social and economic policies that are applied on a global level. This phenomenon is rather new in world history as a rather than kingdoms or nation-states, a non-elected shadow government, composed of the world’s elite, is gradually becoming the center of world power.

“On another political plane are ideological groups such as the Council on Foreign Relations, or participants in the World Economic Forum. Here we find leaders in politics, business, finance, education, and the media who share a belief in the value of global solutions; are in position of high authority and influence; and represent different levels of involvement with the inner circle of the group. Most members simply welcome the opportunity to associate with other well-known luminaries and are honored by being offered membership or attendance privileges. Yet, the ideology at the highest levels of such groups supports a world government – to be administered by a class of experts and planners, entrusted with running centrally organized social and political institutions. Although members may be persuaded to add their considerable voices to certain transnational political and economic policies, they may bot be as supportive (or even aware) of the long-range ambitions of the inner circle. While these groups quite often hold their meetings in secret, their membership lists are a matter of public record. It is the central agenda that is disguised.” [21. Wasserman, op. cit.]

The main elite groups and councils are: the International Crisis Group, the Council on Foreign Relations, the World Economic Forum, the Brookings Institution, Chatham House, the Trilateral Commission and the Bilderberg Group. The Bohemian Club is known to hold informal gatherings of the world elite punctuated with strange ceremonies and rituals. The Club’s insignia is an Owl similar to the one found on the Bavarian Illuminati’s Minerval seal.

Insignia of the Bohemian Club

If one would carefully study the members and attendees of these exclusive clubs, one would notice that they combine the most powerful politicians, CEOs and intellectuals of the time with lesser known individuals with famous names. They are descendants of powerful dynasties that rose to power by taking over vital aspects of modern economies, such as the banking system, the oil industry or mass media. They have been associated with game changing events, such as the creation of the Federal Reserve in 1913. This act completely modified the banking system of the United States, placing it in the hands of a few elite corporations. A proof of this is the court decision of 1982 stating that “The Reserve Banks are not federal instrumentalities for purposes of the FTCA [the Federal Tort Claims Act], but are independent, privately owned and locally controlled corporations“.

In his book “Bloodlines of the Illuminati”, controversial author Fritz Springmeier claims that today’s Illuminati is formed from the descendants of thirteen powerful families whose ancestors had close or distant ties to the original Bavarian Illuminati. According to Springmeier, the 13 bloodlines are: the Astors, the Bundys, the Collins, the DuPonts, the Freemans, the Kennedys, the Li, the Onassis, the Reynolds, the Rockefellers, the Rothschilds, the Russells and the Van Duyns. [22. Fritz Springmeier, The Bloodlines of the Illuminati]

There is no doubt that by virtue of the material and political resources they own, some of these families have a great deal of power in today’s world. They appear to form the core of what we call today the Illuminati. However, are they conspiring to create a New World Order? Here’s a quote from David Rockefeller’s memoirs that might answer some questions:

“For more than a century, ideological extremists at either end of the political spectrum have seized upon well-publicized incidents such as my encounter with Castro to attack the Rockefeller family for the inordinate influence they claim we wield over American political and economic institutions. Some even believe we are part of a secret cabal working against the best interests of the United States, characterizing my family and me as ‘internationalists’ and of conspiring with others around the world to build a more integrated global political and economic structure – one world, if you will. If that is the charge, I stand guilty, and I am proud of it.” [23. David Rockefeller, Memoirs]

In Conclusion

The story of the Illuminati has been repressed or revealed, debunked or exposed, ridiculed or exaggerated countless times – all depending on the point of the authors and whether they are “apologists” or “critics”. To obtain the absolute truth about a group that was always meant to be secret is quite a challenge and one must use a great deal of judgment and discernment to differentiate the facts from the fabrications. As it is not possible to answer all of the questions relating to the Illuminati, this article simply attempted to draw a more precise picture of the Order and to present important facts relating to it.

Today’s political atmosphere is quite different from the time of Weishaupt and the American Founding Fathers, yet there are still many similarities. While the Bavarian Illuminists purportedly denounced the political and religious oppression of the Vatican, a new kind of oppression is taking form. As democracies merge into a single world government, as privacy and freedoms become replaced by “security” and high tech surveillance, as schools crack down on critical thinking, as mass media dumbs-down and disinforms the masses, as secret operations carry out crimes against humanity and as all major protests get violently repressed by a growing police state, it is easy to draw the conclusion that a similarly repressive system is currently being instated. Did the Illuminati truly “liberate” the Western World from the oppression of the Vatican or did it simply continue in its footsteps?

“The minority, the ruling class at present, has the schools and press, usually the Church as well, under its thumb. This enables it to organize and sway the emotions of the masses, and make its tool of them.” – Albert Einstein

Thank you for this informative article. People need to practice more “critical thinking” instead of dumbing themselves down to watching shows like : family guy, xfactor etc Focus more on insightful media outlets such as democracy now. It pains me to see people more caring about which celebrity is walking down the red carpet, while people are dying around the world in an non-humane way. There needs to be a sense of community, speak to your neighbour, but hey that’s the least THEY would want you to do

I don't think its disguised. It is purposely put there to mock us and riducule us. I also like Family Guy for entertainment value and thats it. Remember the super elite likes to mock and put things in plain sight.

It was a gathering of tired authorship fairly presented as the author admits. Key missing ingredients include – the Alumbrados (in Italian it means Illuminati) who included the founders of the Jesuits – De Medicis and Borgias. The Borgias donated the land for the first Jesuit University. I do cover all so many more points in my books. I am an alchemist according to Inner Sanctum Rosicrucians who I have known. If anyone cares to know more they can go to the World-Mysteries.com web forum where numerous threads address the issues. You can question or debate me to your heart's desire.

VC your work has been nothing less than first class.As a Christian believer it looks to me like satans tearing a path thru history enroute to the endgame as described in the Bible.He’s picked up lots of ignorant followers along the way who were willing to sell themselves out for earthly fortune.It’s all coming together like clockwork,and quickly I might add. Thank you for your work and great website.

Finally. I hope they succeed. Just think about all the horrible events in earths history caused by religious differences. The most dangerous thing out there is someone doing horrible things with good intentions,believing they are doing right by "God". Idiots with a cause.

"I hope they succeed"? sounds like you're an idiot with a cause. Churches teach the moral standards that God would have his children uphold. The only reason anything horrible has happened has nothing to do with the standards that the churches doctrine teaches.. no, that fault lies 100% on the corruption of the individual, or in some cases the individuals teaching false doctrine.. Illuminati=Corruption

Yes, grat article. I also think the picture of Adam Weishaupt has some remblence to the article that you have about Room 322 in Hotel ZaZa.

I also had a thought cross my mind while reading this article, I was wandering if there is more information surrounding Adam Weishaupt's father was it of mysterious circumstances and was it a human sacrifice ritual?

Also he was raised by his godfather or his godfather had a major influence in his upbringing. My question is there any information if he suffered any child abuse whle growing up to create the disassociative personalities that desensitize him from humanity?

I apologize. I'm having diffficulty with my words being typed. I deleted too much because of typos. I wantwd to say that the abstract picture resembles this picre because it appears that one of his eyes in this picture is larger than the other as in the picture in ROMM 322 IN Hotel ZAZA

Also, it made me think too that there was a whole society that Adam Weinshaupt had ro get that knowledge from as well.

So it made me thing things continue to go round in circles and it is a labrynth to the never ending realms that continue be behind the darkness. I feel what comes to light is told to the masses by those that are somehow connected to the darkness but are following orders. Truth does not confuse you. So I continue to thank those that have risked their connection to the true light or bringing us knowledge that makes us aware of this that are in plain sight.

I don't have an answer to your questions but I do have a comment to make. Or a rant. Truthfully, I believe a large number of people are desensitized from humanity. And I am probably one of them. I have no sense of empathy for most people or animals and I suppose this fact causes some people some discomfort considering I am a fifteen year old girl who has had a perfectly normal upbringing. My parents are normal and so are my peers. I'm just a girl who enjoys reading and happens to be an atheist in a baptist small town. Should it cause people discomfort that I'm being logical? Not in my opinion. In my opinion, people need to look at the good of the whole and not the individuals involved. The whole wont survive if all the resources are thrown at unfortunate circumstances that have just happened to become mainstream. These events are normal and happen everyday so maybe we should just let them happen and instead throw our resources towards education and decreasing the surplus population.

There are a large number of people who are desensitized from humanity but that doesn't mean it's a good thing. Loving the people directly around us is a manifestation of community, specifically a true God's community. Unfortunately the church, whether it is Catholic, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish frequently doesn't reflect the values that we are given. Desensitization is furthered by the loss of community in our post-modern lives, where online relationships replace real relationships.

This desensitization is encouraged by many of the videos that VC has commented on. I never personally watch MTV or really much TV at all so wasn't really aware of all the imagery that was being used. While I don't know that I believe like VC that everything is a manifestation of an Illuminati conspiracy the vacuousness of the pop icons (whether Lady Gaga, Madonna, or Beyonce) reveals that they embrace being viewed as objects. Many of the videos as VC shows demonstrate that the women are thoughtless, I don't think that's necessarily reflecting Lady Gaga/Beyonce's thoughtlessness but the thoughtlessness of the viewers. Or look at Lil Wayne's video that shows the women only in terms of objects to be subjugated. What they're saying is this is what our world has to offer you. The question you need to ask is that enough for you to be satisfied?

You make the comment "should it cause people discomfort that I'm being logical? Not in my opinion." While I certainly can't comment on where you are currently with that "logic" or where you started from it is important to know that logic never occurs in a vacuum, not even my own "logic!" Also be very careful about the idea that the whole should be given greater weight than the individual, just like we should be careful about the individual being held above the whole. I'm not sure what you mean by "unfortunate circumstances that have just happened to become mainstream." Or the statement about "decreasing the surplus population." Would you be comfortable if you were the "surplus population" with a statement like that?

For me it isn't. If you do like to read I suggest the book, "Truth Is Stranger than it Used to be" by Brian Walsh and Richard Middleton. It goes through modernism and post-modernism and critiques them both heavily. Or look at books by Peter Rollins.

You fool. Is is this the same god that flooded the world killing billions of souls.? Is this the same god that made us dpendent on eating the flesh of other animals to survive? Is this the same sadistic and twistes sinister god that has created the food chain…..? Are you living in suspended disbelief or is there no disbelief at all…………………All prophets were all about follow me , follow me, i ll show you how it should be, follow me bla blah blah bla….they were narcissists that wanted to be revered, occasionally pulling off a magic trick to convince weaker minds of their godly powers………total crap…why? BECAUSE ALL prohets preached from the comfort of believing (or knowing") that they had a secure place in heaven………..real messiahs wouldnt want to be followed or reveered…they would sell their souls to the devil and go to HELL for love not heaven…pfffff……..wake up and defog your brain…..watch the film Constantine, the end shows you a real character worthy of respect…not those mind-illusionist prophets of the east and west.

By performing miracles, you strip off the free will from people….Because they witness a divine action they are overwhelmed with fear and scramble in panic to align themeselves correctly to secure a place in heaven….thats not what it is all about…..you got it all wrong.

Way to show your true colors. Why not just plainly state that you hate God? God is just and righteous to do anything He wills to us because we have broken His rules and sinned. He was gracious enough to give you a way out when He did not give the angels a way out of their fallen state. He is our creator and we are his creation. Do workman not have the same control over their crafts that they create and form?

Your problem is you can't see how it's fair. This life and this world aren't fair. God lifts chosen vessels up at His will, not yours. It's plain to see you only feel anger and jealousy toward your Creator. There is nothing you can do on your own for heaven. People who scrable to "align themselves correctly" are fooled into Satanic religions whose trademark is WORKING THEIR WAY THERE! True Biblical Christianity (not Catholicism) is the only "religion" that has it right. Christ took on your sins and suffered, because you could never do enough to get into heaven.

I'm not too happy about wasting my time with a clearly disturbed man or deliberate spook, but the blasphemy was through the roof.

In the ancient city of Baneas (also called Cesarea Philippi), named after the horned Pan, where the "gods" of the netherworld (Hades), were worshipped – close to Mount Hermon where these rebel angels ascended to earth, Jesus said to Peter:

"And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell (Hades, netherworld) shall not prevail against it." "And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven."

Peter later became the head of the Catholic Church.

Since then, the "gates of the netherworld" have been in a constant battle against the Church.

please to inform u the (KJV)BIBLE never showed any link between Peter and the Catholic Church. The Church Christ was referring to is never the Catholic Church( please the Catholic Church practices are pagan such as bowing to statues and performing ungodly rituals and traditions like the rosary which is not of the BIBLE and so not of God). The key is salvation through Christ being the only way! Peter was given charge to start the propagation of the gospel(Salvation) as being the leader of the 12 Apostles. All TRUE BELIEVERS constitute the body of Christ which is the Church-(1st corinth12:12,13)KJV

Please know that PAPACY which was created by the Catholic Church was to make a representation of Christ on earth which is a blaspheme against the Holy spirit who is the True Spirit of Christ(god) living in us ; and his place can never be taken by any POPE(man) and Christ being the ONLY TRUE HEAD of HIS CHURCH. The Catholic Church simply uses Peter to defend their existence which is totally not in God's word. They come up with their own Roman(a pagan nation as confirmed in the book of Romans) Catholic bible and always using human traditions, and history to defend themselves.

Esther, where do you think you got the bible? The CATHOLIC Church. What did the earliest followers of Jesus rely on after his crucifixion for guidance – the bible didn't appear out of the blue when Jesus died, or even when he arose from the dead, or even when he ascended into heaven! The bible didn't get compiled until later – and it didn't suddenly appear on a shelf in Barnes and Noble, or on Amazon. The early transcribers/translators where CATHOLICS! As stated in the Bible, "the Church is the pillar and foundation of TRUTH" What Church? The CATHOLIC church, which has been here from the beginning…..despite all the attempts throughout history to do away with her, she stands firm, proclaiming TRUTH for over 2000 years.

She stands firm proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ, the ENTIRE, complete gospel.

Only the corrupt versions of the Bible come from the Catholic Church such as the Latin Vulgate, Sianaticus, and Vaticanus. The Textus Receptus came from Byzantine and Israel as the scholars fled across Europe after the Muslim invasions. This is how Erasmus got his texts and time has proven them to be the best texts based on QUANTITY that correlate between each other. Watch a video called a Lamp in the Dark ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNZ-sOzXWEk ) The Vaticanus, Sianaticus were both corrupt texts, half ripped up and thrown in a trash can (at least that is how the Sianaticus was found)

This is why you see a war on the KJV. It is the epic translation for English speaking peoples throughout the world because it is based on the Textus Receptus (aka received text aka majority text aka byzantine texts) and it was a literal word-for-word translation as every Bible no matter what the language ought to be.

My advice to you all to read Quran , with a translation by a Muslim not Jewish as they used to play with words and stereotype what they like to widen the gap between the 2 other religions by hatred and wars such as crusades, explosion and attacks, etc, so they get week and powerless while Jews get powerful and leadership and Master the world in one world gov. by elect. ( remember the old evil rule Divide and rule?!) They hold media and press can stereotype what they like and make up things and we all already know they have wicked history that stands against them. So why you trust what they say? This is one point. Second, Christianity , Judaism and Islam have more similarities than differences , they all share the same stories repeated in the religious books with slight differences . They are clearly close to each other. The amount of difference does not require the world to turn into hill like now. Why increase the speed of war among them rather than the speed and effort of common understanding? Why not increasing schools, developing education, meetings, lecturing, changing the discourse of speech and mind people to more tolerance effort than war increase taxes etc ? why there is no increase in intercultural dialogue? Do not you think that war is being presented as the only solution? Those who are angry about the attacks filmed on American media, I ma sorry about the dead people but please remember that the gov. knew about them before as we heard in media like you but did not stopped them , why? ask your self why the died people can be found but the metal box cant ? More over, Why Jihads are only in America ? because they are under Zionist media. Why we do not see Jihades in China , N. or S. Korea, Japan , Brazil, etc? Only America? I believe it is a film acted live. The reason of which is to intensify the conflict so Christians kill Muslims in Middle East and Jews enjoy the support of America to build their kingdom in the Arabia at the expense of the poor American people who are afraid to death of Muslims who are present as evil as possible in the Media.. you see the plan ? The wars also will make the world powerless one country by one so they can be governed by Israhill. .

More over, read the history of Islam and make sure that what you see in Media about Muslims is true and really deserve war or war back .Read if the prophet ordered to slaughter people like this or have such evil ethics ?, read prophet Mohammad history ( again from Islamic not Jewish sources), did he ordered his soldiers to kill people like this? Read about the story when he was stoned by Arab pagan, he did no kill them when he became powerful, he said, go you are free/ released. Read his first constitution in history to grant safety for the 3 religions, if jihadis are to kill Christians, Why do not they do it in their home lands? .it will be easier , did not you see Tahrir square during protest, where Muslims where praying and Christians were guarding them? Do not you know that Slam spread in Indonesian and India without single blood drop? it was by the ethics of Muslim traders, and please have a close eye on Europe, they are having high converts to Islam , they did not have one single blood. I am not saying this to promote Islam but to let you open your eyes. One more point left, if these Jewish secret societies are good and true, why do not they make their meetings , members, plans open and transparent ? so people share them and we all help each other to make the world better. If you are doing something good, you will not be afraid from hiding it. you will be proud of it and want to public it so every one will enjoy being one of it . Unless they are doing something bad or evil ( apparently plotting against the rest of the world, one world gov. ), they are making it secret ,so they do not get banned and public and simple people do not stop their plans. I think that the first thing you should do is to abolish their secrecy , so their plans fail and all have the right to know either by protesting against them and demanding the open and share of public , or do what Arab did,in the spring, Establish a hash-tag on twitter, Facebook and you tube video and warn people , share and promote the demand to end their secrecy. So the gov. will be forced to give you an ear.

The Catholic Church proclaiming truth for 2000 years????? Are you for real?????

The Catholic Church has done everything it can to amass enormous wealth and power, and hide knowledge from humanity ever since its creation. They have distorted the real teachings of Christ to suit their own agenda – to control and subjugate humanity. They contrived to create a place called Hell so they could instill fear in humanity, and control and manipulate them through this doctrine. They do not form a bridge between man and God, they are a barrier to the light. Christ represents the divinity in all of us. He recognised no church because the kingdom of God is within you. The Catholic Church is simply the Roman empire continued, along with its oppression. They have done nothing but commit crimes against humanity, and are guilty of corruption and paedophilia. The Catholic Church is evil and I'll celebrate when this ghastly institution falls. Only then will we be liberated.

He was the founder and therefore the defacto head. Pretty easy to understand. Meanwhile you KJV followers continue to distort the truth and meanings however you see fit, next you will be telling us the book of mormon is the truth as well.

Like Jesus promised, the netherworld will not prevail against His Church. But it will try as much as possible…

To ge a picture of future events, let´s turn to Catholic Prophecy. This is a subject I´ve studied about thirty years now. There are a number of trustworthy prophecies. The interesting thing is – when you connect them, they fit together like pieces of a puzzle.

I´ll give you some links for further study another day.

A short summary of future events acording to Catholic Prophecy:

Revolution, communistic, atheistic. Against the "traditional" institutions (Catholic Church, monarchy.) Quick war – invasion from the East over Europe. Ended by a cosmic event. The earth is knocked out of its orbit for more than 70 hours (Three days of darkness – for more on this, read the prophecies of Marie-Julie Jahenny in particular). A new world emerges out of the sulphurous haze – plants grow quick, about 25 years of peace. Then, the so called "Anti-Christ" shows up. Reigns three and a half year. Henoch (Enoch) and Elias and Michael the Archangel put an end to his reign. Jesus comes back.

Oh, lets now… How about that. It's easy to interpret natural revolution in Prophecy. Just live life, follow your chosen path or guidance. Leave everyone else alone. No one is harming anyone else, its all media BS and its all about money.

As you write about the Illuminati, I would be interested in your reading all of the books associated with the links above, and giving a critique. If they are who they say they are, then this might change a lot of what we think we know. Please follow up.

That's what I was thinking the whole time while reading this, in order to do research on something so hidden from us we have to keep our minds open on the matter. I'm not taking their side because I have no knowledge on the true motives of the Illuminati. But what if they are to better the world?

if they are better to the world, the better let us know their plans to we help them and the fasten their progress. They hide because they have Evil motives. if you have something good, you want hide it, you want t show it to the rest of the world so they enjoy.

They run a psyop, understanding the true nature of man and natural evolution. Should they come out and give a picture of what we are and capable of, our Destiny, it is too much for us to handle all at once, having been raised by groups of selfish kings and priests for thousands of years (by our collective choice a long time ago).

They are domesticating us to ancient and universal ideas/laws/processes concerning human, solar, and cosmic evolution. This is kindergarten, still run by fist graders. The top TOP of illuminati is like 5th graders in evolution … hundreds of grades beyond that still, is our cosmic Destiny.

The knowledge is out for those that seek. It began to be re-seeded around 1875 … there is a line of teachings, but polluted by human interpretation and attacks from enemies of Truth.

I agree. What we see happening, ie: globalism and corporate dominionism as the New World Order, does best to promote religion and nationalism as a means to subvert the complacent worker. Further, wealthy people tend to vote Republican or share neoliberal values and policies, which are destroying income equality across the globe.

So I'm not understanding how or why the Illuminati, wealthy elites, would plot to destroy the "morals" of its servants and have it be blamed on "godless liberals" unless it's meant to incite the social conservative Christians to pull harder on the reigns of social control to maintain that Puritan ethic through nationalist propaganda and megachurch rallying? Kind of like reverse psychology? The Art of War? Who owns the media? Certainly not wealthy bleeding heart liberals. So why would Conservatives, who own these corporations, like the media conglomerates, try to dumb down the population or make us less hardworking or less "morally" astute? Perhaps as a distraction, a way to blame "liberally biased" values so that they can take over the global economy while the Christian majority looks on with approval at corporate communism because they've been taught to believe that they are standing against their definition of some "liberal" New World Order ? In other words, What if the NWO is globalist capitalism and the elite have the 60% majority looking the other way? If elites were truly working through the media it would be to keep people marginalized, promote racial tension, sexual violence against women, and other such things that keep the status quo. And that's exactly what's happening.

It only makes sense that wealthy elites have kidnapped the original intent of the Illuminati (Robin Hood, take down the oppressors that are wealth and religion) and are using it as a distraction.

Either somehow the intent changed hands or there is some blame shifting going on. Or both.

i see you buy that the rich vote republican, the relockefellers were not all republicans, the council of foreign relation which is an arm of the illuminati were created by the Rothchilds, the federal reserve was signed into law by a president named Woodrow Wilson a democrat, lest not forget it was the republicans who originally opposed the creation of the federal reserve, there have been many people who have been of the bohemian grove, or the council on foreign relations on both parties, ill name two that democrats, bill Clinton, and. Jimmy carter, ill name a republican george h w bush, or dick Cheney so u see they have completely infiltrated the American political system many years ago!

http://www.grailcode.net explains a bit abt the Masonry/Knights Templar/Roscicrucian lineages in Royal Families…Mount Hermon is Sion which is a deceptive Zion in Masonry/Knights Remplar/Roscicrucianism that in The Book of Enoch explains where The Old Men of Renown/Masons/Builders – Fallen Angels/Aliens were gathered to make an Oath after they chose to stray and rebel against God/Jesus Christ in building the Great Pyramid of Giza Isaiah chapter 19 verese 19 and 20 as an Altar and Pillar and guide Mankind but chose to fornicate with women on earth and gave birth to Giants/Nephilims…Mt Hermon is also known as Silver Mountain or Oath Mountain and hence Wiccan songs and doctrins be it Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow’s Man on The Silver Mountain, etc.

ILLUMINATI = illumined / The Light / Lucifer is The Angel of Light and Masons/Builders/Old Men of Renown are Fallen Angels/Aliens by whom the reject the chief head cornerstone/capstone Jesus Christ/God…Their offsprings when they strayed and rebelled against Jesus Christ/God’s instructions to build the great pyramid of Giza Isaiah chapter 19 verse 19 and 20 and guide Mankind but fornicated with women on earth who gave birth to Nephilims/Giants and taught Mankind forbidden knowledge in The Book of Enoch and Genesis chapter 6…Builders/Masons

by whom they rejected the chief head cornerstone/capstone who is Jesus Christ/God…

Freemasons = Free The Masons which in The Book of Enoch chapter 15 explains the Spirits of Nephilims / Giants had since been on earth as evil spirits who are always hungry and thirsty demons which pagan religions like the Chinese hungry ghost festival offer food and drinks to these demons thinking they can ward and satisfy them from haunting humans but only Christ can protect and save us…The deceptive Masonic ‘Keys of Solomon’ are the keys to the bottomless pit which Christ/God will allow His Angel to unlock and set free Apollyon and His angels to torment non believers…Great Pyramid of Giza in ref to former atheists turned believers in Christ pyramidologists Adam Rutherford David Davidson and books by E.Raymond Capt The Great Pyramid Decoded, etc.

De Rosa/The Rose/Roscicrucian Rose was given out in the form of petals to different countries during the London Olympics Opening Ceremony and then came the Actors and their Masonic Handshake Exchanges, Hidden Hand in their waistcoats alongside Illuminati props, stage and acts…And Pasadena Rose Bowl Parade is somewhat ushering their long desired De Rosa Roscicrucian Masonic New Year/New World Order…Loads of archived info at http://www.theopenscroll.blogspot.com abt De Rosa and London Olympics Cauldron Wiccan Ceremony and its significance, etc.

But other than the supposed 13 Illuminati Bloodlines of The Elite/Establisment/300/Olympians, we have http://www.grailcode.net that explains King Edward III and his 300 knights which explains the funding of such movies like 300 and other Round Table groups be it insurance round table groups, King Arthur and Sorceror Merlin, Excalibur, Lord of The Rings for Rings and Twin Towers and Chronicles of Narnia that is abt Satan as a Roaring Lion and not Lion Tribe of Judah or difference between Zion and Protocols of Sion/New Jerusalem in London City that has the statues of Gog and Magog Giants guarding it and England had been known as The Land of Giants or Island with 13 mysterious treasures, etc. Or movies like James Bond 007, The Mechanic, Bourne Identity, The Transporter, The Professional, Nikita which serve the agendas of The Elite/Establishment/300/Olympians whom these assasins are trained to kill or frame peoples out there …Ref Dr John Coleman’s Committee of 300, Carroll Quigley’s Tragedy and Hope, Tom Horn’s Apollyon Rising 2012 http://www.apollyonrising2012.com

I think at this present time, the socalled United Nation is the chief organistion toward achieving the NEW WORLD ORDER(luciferian state)

The Welknown and notorious conspirators such as Albert pike, who planed the 1st, 2nd and 3rd world wars, which the 1st and 2nd wars now came to pass, the 3rd one is war against Islam as today we are witnessing the the Arab springs.

Yet the basic questions remain thesame, that is, what is the way out of this dogma, or rather an invisible cabal cast on humanity.

Answer i think returning back to the orinator of the heaven and earth, i.e Almighty God.

In every society their are shepherds and sheep. Discussing the issue seems to always outweigh addressing the "problem". Meaning if you do not poses the money, power, and alliance that these great families have acquired for generations then your misfortune is their gain. A sheep does not does not turn on his shepherd without a plan of action. If you fear the secret start your own and build.

Is anyone anti-oppression via forced homogenization/ erasure of culture, who isn't a Bible thumper? There has to be another "way" for humanity to come together in peace and stop the global elite that doesn't necessarily involve Christianity.

Exactly. Not everyone is Christian or this wouldn't be a problem. Hell, I'm atheist and I'm offended by people trying to shove their religion down my throat. I cant even begin to imagine how this makes people with different religions feel. where do these Christians get this idea that Christianity is the ultimate solution when religious disputes have the potential and history of causing so many issues? In my opinion everyone should stop trying to regulate religion unless some strange cult causes an issues, like human sacrifice or something.

Why does this article skip from the 17-1800's to questioning today's group of elites? It makes a huge jump to say today's "Illuminati" is related to Weishaupt's and does nothing to explain why or how except saying that the ideals and values are loosely similar. However, it also claims that today's "Illuminati" has become corrupt and is no longer after the goal of human rights, like Weishaupt's Illuminati was. I'm baffled.

Assuming pop sensations like Lady Gaga and Beyoncé are mind-controlled dummies, why would this secret society want to give hidden signs and essentially warnings about the new world order through such publicized outlets? Do they want people to rise up against them? I'm afraid none of this is making sense to me.

Assuming pop sensations like Lady Gaga and Beyoncé are mind-controlled dummies, why would this secret society want to give hidden signs and essentially warnings about the new world order through such publicized outlets? Do they want people to rise up against them? I'm afraid none of this is making sense to me. Free will, the great catch-all. God gave it to you, the devil wants your soul, God owns it, but you can choose to give it away. It`s advertising pure & simple. Some will be swayed by it… That`s why they advertise to children, & why you shouldn`t let yours watch tell LIE vision.

Exactly!! It seems more like speaking through myths and symbols in the era of the Internet would be more a warning…which makes the Illuminati not so evil. But what's confusing is tying the wealthy elite to the illuminati. The goals are opposed. The wealthy don't want an uprising. They are happy to keep us birthing their next generation of workers. How can they do that? By promoting religion and demonizing all else through scare tactics.

What does the Illuminati have to do with the Monarch Project? The Illuminati seek both occult and political power. Their highest rank is "King". They are creating their own aristocracy, and control them with brainwashing. It's that simple.

I do not believe in religion myself; although it has done many people some good, it has done also much evil in the name of God. All philosophies have 'good' and 'bad' in them. I am a spiritual creature-I believe in a "Divine Guidance"— or a "Universal Consciousness"—call it what you will. "God" works as well. There are many paths to the same destination; just my opinion. As for the Illuminati, I find it a fascinating read. And it harm none, do as ye will. My wish to all beings: Blessed Be…….Anarion

Trust me the illuminati is real! Now they are planning to take over the bloody violent world. AND KILL US ALL! The Illuminati is filled with many of our pop-stars today! You can't trust anyone Nowadays! These famous people are ushering in the antichrist! They don't love us! They love satan and his MONEY!!!!! They will all try to kill us! But we can prepare! 1. Build bases or use our house or bedrooms as bases 2. Save food and or either find or make your own food! 3. Gather groups of two to plan somewhere to meet to talk about what they are doing and Even make maps about the U.S. 4. Then we can research more about them. 5. Then we could know their weaknesses. Weaknesses: Their arrogance, The fact that we know what they are up to.(New World Order)

I have read this sort of thing, the "kill us all" bit, in too many places. Firstly, let me say, that I did enjoy the article and will read it more closely later. But Zephaniah be logical. Why would they kill us all? Even if all these things take place, the New Order etc., they would still need someone to do the work; just like the queen bee needs the drones. Without us, they cannot continue to make their honey (money). Without us, the world would truly end.

Yes, they need us. But not SO many of us. therefore they feed is foul food, and deny us cures, experiment on us, subject us to needless dangers, use us for canon fodder, etc. It is said they dumb us down, but that is no effort on their part, we are so willing to be unlearned, to be welfare recipients, and to be entertained. O, how I wish I could somehow wake America up.

Its a shame that many people are obsessed with hollywood, the music industry, and many other bunch of meaningless crap that they worship these people like they're gods.

At the same time, they don't pay any attention to the real issues of today, especially when these things of fame are all just meer temporary pleasure.

Excellent work VC, its very ironic that not many people think twice about the hard times thats going on in places like Africa, the Middle East, and other isolated places where its a living hell of famine, poverty, and suffering.

Good Article! I come to this website off and on and have told people about it. If you don't agree with VC you can ALWAYS do your own research or just don't come back to the website. Whether you believe in God or not the bottom line is that this is ALL spiritual sice the beginning of time. Just take a moment and think to yourself, if you listen to songs, not paying attention to the words and after a while you might feel "sexual"…it is a seed being planted in your spirit. Pay attention to not only what you see and find for yourself but what you feel. Don't ignore feelings that you may have and don't understand why, it is ALL spiritual. From mental issues to music. Keep educating VC! That is all you can do.

As i reviewed the material provided i have to come to the conclusion that when people are not educate themselves past what they are thought but just take it at face value are seemed to just want to live in what ever state of life that is offered . In sayin that i am thankful for the breath that i breath and want my kids to live in a world where they can freely live a happy life.

God created all. He gave mankind the choice to choose for themself what ever they wanted. As a Christian we can only answer for what we do. I can not be punished for what you do. I cannot judge them for what they do

Well written and referenced article. Can't even tell you how awesome it is to see some solid fact-checking as opposed to the compulsive emotive drivel spewing forth from most "ERMAGERD ILERMERNATY" websites.

On a side note, what do you guys think of the idea of a unipolar political and economic structure – that being, the New World Order us pleblings keep hearing about. I don't think it will be the enslaved and tortured world that most leftist writing would have you believe – in fact, I believe that if a society such as the illuminati does exist, their motives and strategy have surely been grown and watered for -literally- thousands of years; hell, it might not be as progressive as we like in actuality, but I VERY much doubt that such and ancient (and no doubt wise) group would have ideals that could even remotely be described as regressive (as the paranoia of those who see their hand would have you believe).

With everything the Satanic organization has accomplished over the last several centuries and beyond, they have one hurdle they still cannot, and will never overcome: The Chief Cornerstone that is Christ. The Book of Revelation is a huge problem for them. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Jesus of Nazareth, is their nemesis, and try as they will, they cannot defeat him. Look at all the symbols on and in their buildings. Look at all the buildings themselves. Look at all their armies and weapons. Look at all the brainwashed masses of humans throughout the world. Look how close this evil organization is coming to ruling the world. And yet, the forces of unharnessed Light will ultimately triumph no matter what they do. They simply cannot defeat Christ and the Father, Creator of Life.

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I am overwhelmed with gratitude for your hours of work and digging. It is a masterpiece I believe guided by the invisible God, His annointing of your work of revelation. I quote Genesis (Gen 1:3) And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. (Gen 1:4) And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. Heb 11:3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. (Heb 11:27) By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. Thank you for shining God's light on the tactics of our enemy. Satan just seems to change the names along with the times to deceive us. He uses the same tools that he used in the Garden, (Gen 3:5) For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (Gen 3:6) So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.

This brings me back to the main page, (2Co 4:6) For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. You have showed me that your article is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The light we have been given is to seek the Face of God through His Son Jesus the Christ and let our lights shine so that others will see God.

P.S. We need not fear, He who lives in us is greater than He who is in the world.

God is within man not one man not a group of men but in all men in not religious at all but as humanity we need to join together to live forever not pick sides or deamonose others I believe there are extremists everywhere and all I see is two sides of extreamisim insted of humanitarisim

To my knowledge Adam Weishaupt was not the founder of the Illuminati, that is propaganda instigated by the Vatican. The Alumbrados as they were known came into existence under the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) started by Ignatius De Loyola, the very first Jesuit. Their goal is to maintain Apostolic Succession and what is known as Temporal Power – control of the physical as oppose to spirituality.

Many factions have been spawned via this organisation including Islam, The Mafia, communism, etc. As a matter of fact The Illuminati is only one of the factions under The Jesuits but has been mistakenly coined the umbrella for the whole organisation.

The chief operators are Magis, theurgists, high priests with an understanding of how this world and other existences work. The Bible as well as all theological books were tampered or written by one of their factions. Point being all that is available to them is available to you if you are willing to seek, there is no Satan or God as such only superior energy that work together to Generate, Operate and Dissolve (GOD). Jesus is the definition of many hidden meanings not a man who walked the earth. Anyway, I wont go on but there are many things to ponder and the main thing is to 'be', live your life with the main aim of being enlightened and feeling internal joy.

No one or any organisation can ever hurt you or this earth, we are blessed (bloessed meaning blood) with the seed of the most high.

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In reference to those who object to the overwhelmingly Christian response to the Grand Conspiracy, I submit that the whole truth is larger than most conspiracy websites will allow. In short, Satan is going to be given a kingdom for the Antichrist, and the Illuminati is the vehicle which accelerated the movement towards the Antichrist's Kingdom in 1776. It had plenty of background being laid with the vast wealth and power of the Templars and the machinations of the Jesuits, but the Illuminati "put the peddle to the metal", as evidenced by the French Revolution which happened shortly thereafter and the rise of the Rothschild banking empire which happened shortly thereafter as well. I suppose some people along the line bought into the lies of secular kingdoms like Cecil Rhodes and his love of Plato's Republic and such, but that was never the true goal of the order.

The purpose of the pyramid on the Rothschild-notes that we use for currency is that it lays a powerful foundation of understanding for the world to accept when the Antichrist emerges from his secret chamber within the Great Pyramid of Giza. You don't have to be a Christian to detest the Illuminati, but you have to be a Christian to resist the Beast of Revelation and the Prince of this world. Again, the Pyramid on the Rothschild-notes is not merely symbolic of the power structure of the world with the shining light of Sirius backing the eye of Horus, though that truth is there. The pyramid on the dollar bill literally refers to the Great Pyramid. The deception of the world will issue from there. Read about Napoleon's experience in the Great Pyramid as a warning.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news here, but the Catholic (and all other religions for that matter) have been infiltrated. The things they are teaching are pagan rituals. Drinking the blood of Christ is pagan! They practice this in the church of Satan. Do your research people.

Infiltrated by whom? Paganism was about a lot longer than christianity. Pagans are not evil, nor are they blood drinkers, and I think you will find that in order to make it easier for the conversion from pagan to christian, the church based a lot of their celebrations at similar times to pagan celebrations.

The world is not safe. Even as we find out the truth, nothing we can do to stop it we are gathered and surrounded by the illuminati. Its bad . But why are they using christianity to cover their faces ?

A ver good and thorough article. Did you know that Hillary Clintion is a member of the Iluminati. She's been photographed on multiple occasions wearing their logo pin on her suit jackets. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…………………. "And the truth will set you free."

illuminatti , defense contractors, banks, Mafia, or Crypts….. all gangs interested in increasing their wealth and power by doing WHATEVER IS NECESSARY. The richer the gang, the more people they can bribe or threaten.

Bavaria is the most Roman Catholic part of Germany. Bavaria is also the place where Adolph Hitler would pull off a putsch, that's German for revolt. Muenchen is the Capital city of Roman Catholic Bavaria. The North of Germany is Protestant, Bavaria is the most south of Germany bordering Roman Catholic Austria..

Therefor, if Adam Weisshaupt would start the Bavarian Illuminati, just after the expulsion of the Jesuits in 1773 by the pope, the pope is the leader of the Roman Catholics, we than have a Roman Catholic connection that is to obvious to deny. Illuminati are one of the militia of Counter Reformation, this is the direction of their decisions, and leaving out these important facts makes this article more as a cover-up than an exposure. The conspiracy is Roman Catholic, their target is Reformation, Reformation is the freedom that our modern civilization is based up on.

"The Illuminati (plural of Latin illuminatus, "enlightened") is a name given to several groups, both real and fictitious. Historically, the name refers to the Bavarian Illuminati, an Enlightenment-era secret society founded on May 1, 1776. The society's goals were to oppose superstition, prejudice, religious influence over public life and abuses of state power, and to support women's education and gender equality. The Illuminati—along with other secret societies—were outlawed by the Bavarian ruler, Charles Theodore, with the encouragement of the Roman Catholic Church, and were permanently disbanded in 1785.[1] In the several years following, the group was vilified by conservative and religious critics who claimed that they had regrouped and were responsible for the French Revolution."

"Several recent and present-day fraternal organizations claim to be descended from the original Bavarian Illuminati and openly use the name "Illuminati". Some of these groups use a variation on the name "The Illuminati Order" in the name of their own organizations, while others, such as the Ordo Templi Orientis, have "Illuminati" as a level within their organization's hierarchy. However, there is no evidence that these present-day groups have amassed significant political power or influence, and rather than trying to remain secret, they promote unsubstantiated links to the Bavarian Illuminati as a means of attracting membership."

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